Does ‘Black Ops’ and ‘Black Ops 2’ on PS5 and PS4 have crossplay?
After months and months of leaks, Black Ops and Black Ops 2 have finally hit PS4 and PS5. However, the experience doesn’t offer any major upgrades or enhancements. They are straight ports of the origi
After months and months of leaks, Black Ops and Black Ops 2 have finally hit PS4 and PS5. However, the experience doesn’t offer any major upgrades or
Read Full Story at NME Music →Why This Matters
The absence of crossplay in these remastered titles highlights a persistent divide in gaming culture, where platform loyalty still trumps accessibility. It underscores how even nostalgia-driven re-releases prioritize revenue streams over player inclusivity, a decision that risks alienating a generation accustomed to seamless multiplatform experiences.
Background Context
Activision’s reluctance to enable crossplay stems from a long-standing contractual obligation to Sony, which historically secured exclusive multiplayer access for PlayStation during a console generation. This practice dates back to the PS4 era, when Sony leveraged its market dominance to lock down titles like *Call of Duty* and *Destiny* on its platform.
What Happens Next
Players should expect Activision to maintain this status quo unless regulatory pressure or competitive pressure from Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem forces a shift. Meanwhile, modders may explore workarounds, and Sony’s competitors could leverage this gap to market their own crossplay-friendly alternatives.
Bigger Picture
This case reflects a broader paradox in modern gaming: while cloud computing and cross-platform engines make technical crossplay feasible, corporate partnerships and market realities often dictate otherwise. It’s a reminder that even in an era of interconnected services, walled gardens persist.
